Portuguese - Liga Bwin (22nd - 24th Aug 08)

[JCtips]

My picks for today:

Leixões-Nacional
Leixões will be fighting to avoid relegation and the home games are of major importance to them.
They had a horrible pre-season with their defense looking like trash and conceding many goals. Today they have forwards Roberto and Nwoko out due to injury and Hugo Morais suspended.
Even though it is hard to play at "Estádio do Mar" (Leixões Stadium) because of the home support, Nacional is a much better side and, with coach Manuel Machado, I expect them to be tight at the back and fast in looking for the counter attack.
I see good value in taking Nacional PK at this price.
My pick: Nacional PK (2.13);

Rio Ave-Benfica
Rio Ave just got back to the 1st Division again this year and will be looking to avoid relegation but it won't be easy as the team is either too old (half a dozen bellow average but experienced 1st division players they have) or too young (new players that arrived from lower division clubs).
Home games will be of major importance to them and "Estádio dos Arcos" has always been a hard place for Benfica to play at (in six differente occasions in the past, Benfica: won twice, drew three and lost once) as Rio Ave (just like all the clubs in the country) seems to play the game of their lives when they face Benfica.
Tonight, Benfica will miss Jose Antonio Reyes (his player certificate didn't arrive on time) and Angel Di Maria (just played the Soccer final in Beijing for Argentina) but there's still too much of quality difference and if they play with the correct attitude Benfica will win with more or less dificulty.
Odd for a Benfica win is a bit low IMO but I still take it.
My pick: Benfica to win (1.63);

I pass all other games.

Good luck!

JC

[modo]

Last season Leixoes was Kings of draw

[JCtips]

Originally Posted by modo

Last season Leixoes was Kings of draw

True modo and I wouldn't be surprised with a draw in this game as well...still, this is a different season, Leixões has a different coach and IMO they look weaker than last year (on paper, of course...).



JC

[modo]

Ok, JC obrigado for info.Last question,you know this coach Jose Couceiro?

[JCtips]

Originally Posted by modo

Ok, JC obrigado for info.Last question,you know this coach Jose Couceiro?

Yes, I know him very, very well of course (coached Alverca in the 1st division, Setúbal and Porto after Mourinho and the Portuguese under-21 National team as well).
I know he's now in your homeland (Lithuania) and is doing well.
I think he deserves it, Portuguese football is a "strange animal" to be honest and he's a good coach who got burned in the country.



JC

[JCtips]

Originally Posted by JCtips

My picks for today:

Leixões-Nacional
Leixões will be fighting to avoid relegation and the home games are of major importance to them.
They had a horrible pre-season with their defense looking like trash and conceding many goals. Today they have forwards Roberto and Nwoko out due to injury and Hugo Morais suspended.
Even though it is hard to play at "Estádio do Mar" (Leixões Stadium) because of the home support, Nacional is a much better side and, with coach Manuel Machado, I expect them to be tight at the back and fast in looking for the counter attack.
I see good value in taking Nacional PK at this price.
My pick: Nacional PK (2.13); won

Rio Ave-Benfica
Rio Ave just got back to the 1st Division again this year and will be looking to avoid relegation but it won't be easy as the team is either too old (half a dozen bellow average but experienced 1st division players they have) or too young (new players that arrived from lower division clubs).
Home games will be of major importance to them and "Estádio dos Arcos" has always been a hard place for Benfica to play at (in six differente occasions in the past, Benfica: won twice, drew three and lost once) as Rio Ave (just like all the clubs in the country) seems to play the game of their lives when they face Benfica.
Tonight, Benfica will miss Jose Antonio Reyes (his player certificate didn't arrive on time) and Angel Di Maria (just played the Soccer final in Beijing for Argentina) but there's still too much of quality difference and if they play with the correct attitude Benfica will win with more or less dificulty.
Odd for a Benfica win is a bit low IMO but I still take it.
My pick: Benfica to win (1.63); lost

I pass all other games.

Good luck!

JC

A profit is a profit but I'm not happy at all...

JC

[zigoto]

Originally Posted by zigoto

Dont forget for tomorrow...

Porto 2-0 WON
Benfica 1-1 LOST


Benfica should have done far better, big dissapointment...

[Naza Man]

Benfica